Relegation candidates becoming increasingly clear
With seven rounds of the 2019/2020 Super League having been played, AGONAsport analyses the form of teams languishing in the bottom four.
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This year, the Super League is being held in two stages, with the teams being split into championship and relegation groups once the regular season ends. At the moment, Asteras Tripolis, Lamia, Panetolikos and Panionios occupy the last four positions of the standings, with the latter three becoming increasingly cut off.
Let’s take a look at their form so far:
ASTERAS TRIPOLIS (6 POINTS)
A crucial 1-0 triumph at Panionios on matchday seven has breathed life into their campaign. Similar to their situation last year, Asteras were thrown into the deep end with two games against Olympiacos and AEK in the opening couple of rounds, and they also played PAOK in early October. Despite battling hard, Asteras didn’t claim any points in those three games, but they have shown promise in victories over Atromitos and Panionios. Two further losses were suffered against Xanthi and OFI.
Their upcoming game against Lamia on Monday is another six-pointer. Spanish midfielder Marc Fernandez, 29, has scored an impressive four goals in the Super League and Asteras should certainly have enough quality to protect their top-flight status. They have scored double the amount of goals Lamia have registered - eight.
Next three fixtures:
Lamia (H)
Panetolikos (A)
Aris (A)
LAMIA (4 POINTS)
The early signs are not good. On matchday one, Lamia claimed a credible 1-1 draw against Panathinaikos at home, but with seven rounds in the books they are still yet to win a single match. It must be taken into account that Lamia have already played against AEK, Olympiacos and PAOK, but their performances on the pitch have been somewhat underwhelming. When Lamia have played well - they had 14 shots against Panetolikos - they haven’t been able to discover a finishing touch in front of goal. Four goals in seven games makes Lamia the lowest scorers in the Super League.
Sotiris Antoniou lost his job as head coach after the lacklustre 3-0 loss to PAOK last weekend, with Akis Mantzios replacing him at the helm. Four points from seven matches is not a great return, but the only positive is that games against the big four are out of the way until the second half of the campaign.
Next three fixtures:
Asteras Tripolis (A)
Volos NFC (H)
AEL (A)
PANETOLIKOS (2 POINTS)
The start of the season couldn’t have been more difficult. Facing reigning champions PAOK at the Toumba Stadium, it was always unlikely that Panetolikos would leave Thessaloniki with anything to show for their efforts, and they predictably lost 2-1. Unfortunately for Panetolikos, that result started a trend, as the Agrinio club subsequently conceded defeats against Xanthi, OFI, AEK and Atromitos. Luis Castro left his post as manager after a 0-0 draw at Lamia.
Makis Chavos is now the Panetolikos head coach. Players such as Vlad Morar and Admir Bajorvic provide an attacking spark for Panetolikos, but the team needs more consistency. AE Larissa denied Panetolikos their first win at the weekend with a late equaliser.
Next three fixtures:
Aris (A)
Asteras Tripolis (H)
Volos NFC (A)
PANIONIOS (-2 POINTS)
There is a growing feeling that Panionios are doomed to relegation. Due to outstanding debts, Panionios were denied a Super League licence for the 2019/2020 season, meaning they had to begin the campaign with a six-point deficit and a transfer ban. Not exactly a recipe for success.
Panionios are standing at -2 points after seven games. Young guns Nemanja Milojevic, Dimitris Emmanouilidis - who hasn’t got a look in since arriving on loan from Panathinaikos - and Giannis Masouras boast plenty of potential for the future, but the Panionios squad lacks any kind of depth or real quality. Three successive losses to Panathinaikos, OFI and Asteras have put them in serious trouble.
Next three fixtures:
Atromitos (A)
Aris (H)
Xanthi (A)
